Dianna Russini caught in cozy moments with Patriots coach at Arizona resort

Dianna Russini, the top New York Times NFL reporter, was spotted in cozy moments with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury Arizona resort. Page Six obtained exclusive photos from the Ambiente in Sedona on Saturday, March 28. Both are married to other people.

Photos Capture Intimate Poolside Moments at Luxury Resort

Exclusive images obtained by Page Six show Vrabel and Russini relaxing together at the adults-only Ambiente. The pair held hands, hugged, and lounged side-by-side in the hotel’s hot tub. According to eyewitnesses, they spent roughly 90 minutes at the pool area on Saturday morning. The couple later appeared on a private rooftop overlooking the Red Rock formations, where they were photographed dancing together during sunset.

A Page Six spy reported that the two had breakfast together at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the hotel restaurant patio. The private rooftop, accessible only from two-person bungalows at $2,160 per night, features panoramic glass walls. Fellow guests told the publication they only saw the pair together during the entire visit.

Both Claim They Were in Groups, But Witnesses Disagree

Vrabel and Russini both issued statements denying the photographs showed them alone. A source close to Russini claimed she was there for a hiking trip with two female friends. Vrabel‘s associate told Page Six that the coach and a friend drove up from a scouting event at Arizona State University and later returned to their hotel. However, three separate eyewitnesses told the outlet they saw no evidence of other companions.

When asked directly if Vrabel visited with a group, one witness stated, “No, he was with a girl.” The photographic sequence provided by Page Six shows only the two of them during various times throughout the day. The accounts directly contradicted the statements released by both parties.

A Long Professional History and Alleged Controversy

Person	Role	Age / Marriage Status
Mike Vrabel	Patriots head coach since January 2025	50, married to Jennifer (since 1999)
Dianna Russini	New York Times senior NFL insider	43, married to Kevin Goldschmidt (since 2020)
Professional Link	Covered Vrabel since 2018 as Titans beat reporter for ESPN	Long-standing professional relationship in NFL circles

Russini began covering Vrabel’s career closely in 2018 when he became Tennessee Titans head coach and she was ESPN’s Nashville beat reporter. The two developed a professional relationship that continued through Vrabel’s move to the Patriots in January 2025. In a February 2026 podcast appearance, Russini praised how Vrabel transformed the Titans during their first season together. The coach later took the Patriots to Super Bowl LX in just his first season, a stunning achievement.

In 2015, Russini faced a separate controversy when Jessica McCloughlan, wife of Washington Redskins GM Scot McCloughlan, publicly accused them of having an affair on Twitter. Jessica later deleted the post and apologized, stating her comments were “unfounded and inappropriate.”

Official Statements Deny Any Wrongdoing

“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

— Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots head coach

Vrabel called the photos “completely innocent” and dismissed further commentary. Russini countered by stating the images “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.” She added, “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.” Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, defended his employee, calling the photos “misleading and lack essential context” and emphasizing they were “public interactions in front of many people.”

What Happens Next in This Unfolding Story?

The Patriots organization has not yet issued an official response to the Page Six report. Vrabel was scheduled to attend the NFL Competition Committee meeting at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix the day after the Sedona incident. Russini was also present at the Biltmore covering the annual NFL owners and coaches meetings for The Athletic. The story has sparked debate across sports media about journalist ethics, source relationships, and whether off-field interactions between reporters and coaches raise conflicts of interest in NFL coverage.

The Ambiente resort is known as an exclusive romantic getaway, featuring countless proposals and anniversaries on its website. The location choice and timing raise continued questions about the nature of the interaction, despite both parties’ denials. Instagram posts from Russini in early 2024 showed her celebrating her marriage to Goldschmidt, yet the new developments have cast a shadow over that public display of commitment.

Sources

• Page Six – Exclusive photos and eyewitness accounts from Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona
• The Spun – Coverage of the incident and context about both individuals’ professional backgrounds
• New York Times, The Athletic – Official statements from Russini and executive editor Steven Ginsberg defending the journalist